Jared Isaacman, a former NASA astronaut and founder of Shift4 Payments, has expressed support for Elon Musk’s idea of placing AI data centers in space, powered by solar energy. This proposal comes as there is growing bipartisan concern over the environmental and social impacts of building large data centers on Earth. These facilities, which support artificial intelligence and cloud computing, consume vast amounts of electricity and water, and often generate noise, leading to opposition similar to that seen with nuclear power plants and hydraulic fracking. However, trade unions and some industries support such projects due to the potential for job creation, though the number of jobs may be reduced if automation, such as Meta’s experiments with robotic systems, proves effective. Some of the opposition to ground-based AI data centers may be influenced by a disinformation campaign originating from China. According to reports from Engadget, the social media platform X uncovered a network of 200,000 accounts, with 200 used specifically to manipulate public opinion about data centers. While China faces no such public opposition due to its political structure, it is actively expanding its own data center infrastructure. Musk is aiming to bypass the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) problem by proposing to build AI data centers in space, potentially manufacturing them on the Moon and launching them from the lunar surface. The recent announcement of SpaceX’s Starbase Louisiana, a massive facility designed to launch and recover 1,000 Starship spacecraft annually, appears to be part of this broader vision. Environmental groups have raised concerns about the Starbase Louisiana project, noting that it would allow the waiver of 13 wildlife, water, and public health laws for space development. The impact of these objections on the $100 billion facility is still unclear, as similar challenges previously slowed the development of SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility. Even if space-based data centers become a reality, public fears about AI remain strong, influenced by science fiction like the Terminator movies, which depict AI turning against humans. While some concerns about AI replacing jobs or posing existential risks may be exaggerated, the technology is also expected to create new employment opportunities. Isaacman supports the idea of space-based data centers not only to avoid political and environmental challenges on Earth but also because it aligns with his vision of expanding human civilization beyond Earth, led by NASA. While a lunar base focused solely on science and exploration may face limited public support, a lunar settlement with economic potential could be more feasible. AI will play a crucial role in space exploration by automating spacecraft navigation, accelerating data analysis, and enhancing astronaut safety through real-time monitoring. Rather than replacing humans, AI will work alongside them to advance space exploration and eventually help establish human presence on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.